🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 64
Thinking back on it, even when I first heard it from Her Highness the Crown Princess, I couldn’t shake the sense of unease.
‘Your Highness possesses magic that can burn anything.’
According to the legends of Rigor and Flamma, that flame magic should have been a power passed down through the imperial bloodline for generations.
If that was the case, then where did the magic Russell possessed come from?
“It seems he didn’t tell you after all.”
The Crown Prince let out a short sigh. Perhaps out of embarrassment at his own ignorance, a faint flush rose to his cheeks.
“The magic Lord Russell possesses is called Lementum, which means ‘growth.’ It’s an extremely rare form of magic, and even harder to wield freely.”
“So it’s… different from conjuring fire out of thin air?”
“Lementum is a magic with very clear limitations.”
Limitations?
After seeing him use it so freely, I had thought it was a magic with endless applications.
In the silence, I sensed him shift. The couch creaked softly.
As the weight resting on his legs slowly eased, I heard the faint rustle of fabric. When he fully relaxed his legs, the leather of his boots pressed gently against the floor, producing a small frictional sound.
“Flame magic is an ancient art that dates back to the dawn of time. The Imperial Crown Princess is its legitimate successor. She must have devoted her entire life to magic.”
He brought the teacup to his lips, then set it back down on the coaster.
Clink.
With the sound of porcelain, the Crown Prince continued.
“Fire is easy to imagine. But magic that grows plants is different.”
That was true. Flame magic was easy to visualize. But when I first heard about magic that made plants grow, I couldn’t quite grasp it at all.
“Lementum’s effectiveness depends on the user’s knowledge. The plants must actually exist—imaginary plants cannot be created.”
“Then doesn’t that mean imagination is restricted?”
“Compared to flame magic, yes. Magic is fundamentally built on imagination, so in that sense, it’s a significant penalty.”
“But… the Grand Duke still won.”
As if he had expected that response, the Crown Prince spoke smoothly.
“The Grand Duke likely didn’t even reveal what kind of magic he used before they crossed blades. The imperial family may have known, but they probably assumed they would win regardless. …That’s why they didn’t anticipate it.”
His voice grew heavy.
“That Lord Russell’s innate talent surpasses even Lady Pera’s.”
Why hadn’t I realized it sooner when I heard the story?
The fact that Russell won was proof that his talent exceeded the Crown Princess’s enough to overcome even elemental incompatibility.
My mouth felt dry from tension. With effort, I parted my lips.
“Your Highness… since when did you know that the Crown Princess and the Grand Duke fought each other?”
“It was such a famous incident that it would be strange not to know.”
Even without seeing him, I could sense an unfamiliar sharpness in his gaze.
“I never once imagined that Lady Pera would lose. I’ve crossed blades with her before—she was exceptional in martial skill as well.”
“That sounds like… you were on good terms with Her Highness.”
At my unexpected reaction, the Crown Prince smiled faintly.
“Of course. I’ve known Lady Pera since childhood. And as someone destined to become a vassal, I needed to understand proper etiquette.”
Naturally. He was in a position to become the crown prince of a kingdom. Since they maintained a lord–vassal relationship with the Empire, it was only right that he knew the formalities.
Silence settled over the room. When he moved slightly, I sensed it immediately.
The faint sound of fabric brushing as his trousers shifted, and the soft click of his finger joints touching.
Both of his hands rested on his knees, and I felt the motion of him propping his chin up.
His breathing has steadied.
Why was that?
Despite the table between us, it felt as though his breathing was echoing close by.
At the same time, I clearly felt his attention settle squarely on me.
“I know about you as well.”
“If you know me, then you should also know that I’m nothing special.”
“That can’t be true. I know your worth.”
What was that supposed to mean?
Could it be that he knows I can hear the voices of trees?
That information shouldn’t have leaked outside.
My sister is confined to the estate recovering from illness, and she’s not the type to reveal such secrets.
I couldn’t afford to show my agitation. I let out a shallow breath.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t know anything about you.”
In other words—why would I trust his honeyed words?
“I know enough about you, so that’s fine. That you’re blind, and that you receive His Majesty the Emperor’s favor.”
Since sweet talk wasn’t working, he was trying to shake me another way. I couldn’t fall for it.
Then—
What came out of his mouth was completely unexpected.
“That’s precisely why you must not believe everything Lord Russell tells you.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
My mind was already tangled because of Russell’s behavior last night.
In a deeply concerned tone, he continued.
“Lord Russell is cruel and merciless by nature. A starving wolf only bares its fangs at the decisive moment when it can tear out a throat.”
“That’s absurd. What makes Your Highness believe such a thing?”
“Well…”
“I know what you did to Russell.”
I shouldn’t have reacted emotionally.
But the memories I’d buried, stirred up by last night and Russell’s actions, left me no choice.
Facing the Crown Prince’s oppressive gaze, I spoke again—almost as if making excuses to myself.
“I also know about the spy you sent.”
“That wouldn’t be entirely unrelated to me, I suppose.”
“…What?”
The Crown Prince spoke heavily, as if truly sorrowful.
“That was her doing alone. I didn’t have time to stop her.”
What was he talking about?
“I never wanted that either. By the time I went to explain, the relationship had already deteriorated beyond repair.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“No matter who I am, if the other party is Lord Russell, once misunderstandings pile up, it’s not easy to approach him.”
Was he really asking me to believe that?
As my grip tightened around the stick in my hands, a dull vibration echoed from the floor.
The Crown Prince stood, stepped around the table, and took my hand.
A chill ran through my entire body, leaving me unable to speak.
“But unlike Lord Russell, you gave me the chance to talk.”
It was just a handhold.
And yet—I felt overwhelmed. Paralyzed.
He leaned in close and whispered intimately.
“I can give you what you want, Lady Piana.”
Smack!
With a sharp cracking sound, my hand moved first.
I struck the Crown Prince reflexively.
“Hah… hah…!”
Disgust surged through me.
The warmth that had felt so comforting when Russell touched me—warmth I wanted to feel for the rest of my life—now felt revolting enough to turn my stomach.
“The Grand Duke was right. Now I understand just how rude you are.”
“Is that so? My feelings haven’t changed in the slightest.”
As if he had anticipated this reaction, he replied with the same unpleasant smile.
After steadying my breathing once, I gripped my stick and strode toward the door.
“I’ll be leaving now. The remaining children will guide you around.”
Tap. Tap.
I struck the floor with my stick. When I opened the door, I sensed the servants staring at me in shock.
When I reached out, Asha skillfully came to my side. Leaving the corridor guidance to the servants, I moved forward.
‘You must not believe everything Lord Russell tells you.’
Those words echoed endlessly within me.
Even though I knew the Crown Prince was someone who should never be trusted.
